Series against Afghans: WI promise interesting cricket

KABUL (Pajhwok): An upcoming one-day international (ODI) and T20 series against Afghanistan will be an interest contest, hopes an official of the West Cricket Board (WICB).

Roland Holder, WICB operations manager, was quoted as saying on Thursday, the hosts would be looking to make amends by improving its rankings in both formats of the game..

The West Indies are currently ranked number nine in ODIs outside of the automatic qualification spots for the World Cup while Afghanistan are placed 10th. The Afghans upset the Caribbeans in the preliminary round of last year's T20 World Cup in India,

In June this year, the two sides are scheduled to play three Twenty20 (T20) and as many one-day international (ODI) matches. The T20 series will be played at Warner Park in St Kitts from June 2 to 5.

According to The Gleaner, a West Indian newspaper, the ODI series will take place at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St Lucia from June 9 to14.

"We are looking forward to welcoming the Afghans to the Caribbean for this short series," Holder told the daily. "The series promises to be compelling, considering the result of the match between the two sides at the last ICC World Twenty20 in India...

"It will also be an important series for our side, as they look to move up in the ICC world rankings in the two formats and continue their quest to qualify for the 2019 ICC World Cup in England and Wales."